According to NY State Law, all computers and other electronic waste from all NYC residential buildings must now be recycled. This law went into effect January 1, 2015. The NYC Sanitation Department (DSNY) will no longer collect electronics left at the curb. Fines will be levied for non-compliance.
Apartment buildings with 10 or more residential units are eligible for a free DSNY pickup. The first step in this process is to schedule a site visit. Check with your building management or super to confirm who will initiate the process. More information can be found and site visits scheduled via the DSNY’s website; click on http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycwasteless/html/contact/enrollmentform.shtml.
Apartment buildings with fewer than 10 residential units, including single-family houses, are a bit more difficult. Your building might be eligible for a pickup from The Fourth Bin; contact them directly (tel: 646-747-5985; www.4thbin.com; ecyclenow@4thbin.com). They do charge a small fee.
Other options include:
Electronics Recycling Events:
The Lower East Side Ecology operates community E-Waste collection events throughout NYC. You can contact them directly (tel: 212-477-4022; http://lesecologycenter.org/
Retail Drop-Off Programs:
You can drop off used electronics (no purchase necessary) at Goodwill, Salvation Army, Best Buy, and Staples (no TVs), or at the Lower East Side Ecology Warehouse in Brooklyn.
Mail-Back Programs:
Many manufacturers of electronic goods offer these programs. Check your specific brand’s website for details.
Donate or Sell Electronics:
If they still work, you can donate or sell electronic goods. Click on www.nyc.gov/stuffexchange for options in your neighborhood.